Everton approached Mauricio Pochettino to discuss him replacing Frank Lampard in charge during the World Cup. But the Argentine was not open to being the next Toffees manager.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that the Goodison Park natives started to explore replacing Lampard after successive defeats at Bournemouth. The Cherries beat the Toffees 4-1 in the Carabao Cup and then 3-0 in the Premier League on November 8 and 12.
Losing at Dean Court twice over four days enraged Everton’s travelling fans, with one even throwing Alex Iwobi’s shirt back at the Nigerian. The second of the results also left Everton 17th in the table with 14 points over 15 games. They now have 15 in 20 to sit in 19th place.
A 2-0 loss at West Ham United last Saturday proved to be the final nail in Lampard’s coffin. Everton owner Farhad Moshiri fired the 44-year-old this Monday after only 357 days at the helm. Now, former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is the Toffees’ first-choice candidate.
Yet during the break in the Premier League schedule for the World Cup, Everton enquired into Pochettino’s interest in replacing Lampard and becoming their next manager. But the ex-Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss turned down the offer.
Pochettino could be the next Tottenham manager after turning Everton down
The idea of replacing Lampard at Everton and becoming the next Toffees manager did not interest Pochettino. Even though he has been out of work since PSG fired the 50-year-old last July. He also came close to accepting an offer to take over at Aston Villa in November.
According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa wanted Pochettino to replace Steven Gerrard and executive chairman Nassef Sawiris met the Argentine. The Birmingham outfit’s vision also impressed the tactician. But he ultimately decided to wait to make his return to coaching.
Now, Pochettino could even return to Tottenham after turning down the chance to be the next Everton manager. The Mirror reports the out-of-work head coach is eager to head back to north London and replace Antonio Conte. Spurs sacked Pochettino in November 2019.
Pochettino left Tottenham just five months after guiding the club to the Champions League final. He had spent five years in charge of Spurs following a single season at Southampton. Yet the coach – who Simon Jordan calls ‘exceptional’ – would last just 18 months with PSG.
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